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Transferring Earthly Treasure
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very sorrowful, for he wanted both worlds; but he sacrificed the
heavenly for the earthly.
But few realize the strength of their love for riches until the test
is brought to bear upon them. Many who profess to be Christ’s
followers then show that they are unprepared for heaven. Their
works testify that they love riches more than their neighbor or their
God. Like the rich young man, they inquire the way to life; but
when the way is pointed out, and the cost is estimated, and they are
convinced that they must sacrifice their earthly riches and become
rich in good works, they decide that heaven costs too much. The
greater the treasures laid up upon the earth, the more difficult it is
for the possessor to realize that they are not his own, but lent him to
use to God’s glory.
Jesus here improves the opportunity to give His disciples an
impressive lesson: “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say
unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of
heaven.” “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Here the strength of riches is seen. The power of the love of
riches over the human mind is almost paralyzing. Riches infatuate
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many, and make them act as though they were bereft of reason. The
more they have of this world, the more they desire. Their fears of
coming to want, increase with their riches. They have a disposition
to hoard up means for the future. They are close and selfish, fearing
that God will not provide for their future needs. Such persons are
indeed poor toward God. As their riches have accumulated, they
have put their trust in them and have not had faith in God or His
promises.
The poor man who has faith and confidence in God, who trusts
in His love and care, and who abounds in good works, judiciously
using the little he has in blessing others with his means, is rich
toward God. He feels that his neighbor has claims upon him that
he cannot disregard and yet obey the commandment of God: “Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The poor who are rich toward
God consider the salvation of their fellow men of greater importance
than all the gold and silver that the world contains.
Christ points out the way in which those who have worldly riches
and yet are not rich toward God may secure the true riches. He says: